The Mokuhonua Bonsai Kai along with Hilo Bonsai Kyoshitsu invites the public to their annual bonsai exhibit on Friday, June 28, and Saturday, June 29, at the Wailoa Center in Hilo.
Exhibition hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
Bonsai is defined as a tree grown in a container. The word “bonsai” is formed from two words — “bon” meaning tray or dish and “sai” meaning tree or plant. It is a living work of art that cannot be compared with any other art form.
A bonsai can never be a finished work of art in this sense, because it will always be a living piece of nature, continuing to live and grow.
While the word bonsai is of Japanese origin, the concept of this art form actually took root in China. It was called “Penjin” or “Penzai.”
At what point penjin or bonsai entered Japan is not known exactly. Some associate it with the spread of Buddhism from China to nearby countries which saw the introduction of tea plants and orange trees in Japan
There will be bonsai demonstrations at 1 p.m. on June 28 and at 11 a.m. on June 29 by bonsai instructors. Demonstrations will be held on the lower level of the Wailoa Center.
There will be no stock plants available for sale, but the public is invited to bring their own plants for a bonsai analysis by club members.
Come and enjoy the variety and beauty of bonsai and talk story with club members. Admission is free.
For more information, call the Wailoa Center at (808) 933-0416.